Periodontists are dentistry’s experts in the surgical placement of dental implants.  They specialize in handling challenging implant and bone regeneration cases. Also specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease (a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth also known as gum disease). 

A periodontist primary focus is to save teeth. This is done by preventing the onset of gum disease (periodontal disease); diagnosing conditions affecting the gums and jawbone; and treating gingivitis, periodontitis, and bone loss.  Periodontal disease is a progressive condition and the leading cause of tooth loss among adults.

Extensive research suggests that periodontal disease can be linked to stroke, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases. The mouth is a portal to the rest of the body. Bacteria that build up in the mouth travels to other parts of the body.

If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, it is important that you schedule an appointment with a periodontist without delay:

• Bleeding while eating or brushing – Unexplained bleeding while consuming food or during the course of daily cleaning is one of the most common signs of periodontal infection.
• Bad breath – Continued halitosis (bad breath) which persists even when a rigorous oral hygiene program is in place, can be indicative of periodontitis, gingivitis or the beginnings of an infection in the gum tissues.
• Loose teeth and gum recession – Longer looking teeth can signal recession of the gums and bone loss due to periodontal disease.  As this disease progresses and attacks the jawbone, (the anchor holding the teeth in place) the teeth may become loose or be lost altogether.
• Gangrene in the tissues – Gangrene is hard to self diagnose but the general dentist and periodontist will check for its presence in the soft tissues, alveolar bone and periodontal ligament.
• Related health conditions – Heart disease, diabetes, osteopenia and osteoporosis are highly correlated with periodontitis and periodontal infections.  The bacteria infection can spread through the blood stream and affect other parts of the body.

Conditions Treated by a Periodontist

• Gingivitis – This is the mild inflammation of the gums which may or may not be signified by pain and bleeding.
  
  
• Mild/moderate periodontitis – When the pockets between the teeth and the soft tissues are measured to be between 4-6mm it is classified as moderate periodontitis (gum disease).
  
  
• Advanced periodontitis – When the pockets between the teeth and the soft tissues in general exceed 6mm in depth, significant bone loss may occur; causing shifting or loss of teeth.
  
  
• Missing teeth – When teeth are missing as a result of bone loss, the periodontist can place implant into the jawbone.  Implants restore functionality to the mouth.

Treatments Performed by a Periodontist

• Implant placement – When a tooth or several teeth are missing, a periodontist is able to create a natural-looking replacement by anchoring a prosthetic tooth to the jawbone.
  
  
• Osteoplasty (hard tissue recontouring) – Once periodontitis has been treated, the periodontist can recontour the hard tissue to make the smile both natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing.
  
  
• Gingivoplasty (soft tissue recontouring) – As gums recede due to periodontitis, the teeth may appear longer; causing a “toothy" smile.  The periodontist can remove tissues or straighten the gum line to make the teeth look more even.
  
  
• Bone grafting – Dental implants can only be positioned if there is sufficient bone to attach the prosthetic tooth to.  If bone loss has occurred, bone grafting is an excellent way to add or “grow” bone so that an implant may be properly secured.
  
  
• Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) – As gingivitis and periodontitis progress, it becomes more difficult to cleanse the pockets between the soft tissues and the teeth.  The periodontist can scale and root plane the teeth (sometimes under local anesthetic) to remove debris and infection-causing bacteria.
  
  
• Crown lengthening – In order to expose more of the natural tooth, the periodontist can remove some of the surrounding gingival tissue.

Please contact our office if you have any questions or concerns.

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